Drapery fixture



2 Sheets-Sheet l H. S. ROSENBAUM DRAPERY FIXTURE May 15, 1956 Filed Jan.14, 1955 INVENTOR Mm w` OQES ATTORNEY May 15, 1956 H. s. ROSENBAUM v2,745,488

DRAPERY FIXTURE 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Jan. 14, 1955 ATTORNEY nitedStates Patent DRAPERY FIXTURE Harry S. Rosenbaum, Baltimore, Md.,assignor to The Eastern Venetian Blind Company, Baltimore, Md., acorporation of Maryland Application January 14, 1955, Serial No. 481,827

16 Claims. (Cl. 160-344) The present invention relates to a draperytixture. More particularly, the present invention relates to a masterslide construction for draperies which is adapted to prevent thedraperies from parting after they have been drawn to the closedposition.

In drapery assemblies which include the conventional master carrierconstruction, wherein the operating cords are secured directly to themaster carrier, it is frequently diicult to bring the drapery meetingends together by operation of the operating cords since stresses set upin the operating cords tend to separate the meeting ends when thetension in the cords is relieved. Generally, the heretofore known mastercarriers are formed with overlappings extensions which are designed tobring the draperies to the closed position in overlapping relation.However, when the operating cords are stretched during the closingoperation, relieving the tension therein will tend to slightly part thedraperies, which parting is both unsightly and annoying and usuallyrequires an additional manual movement to close.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a mastercarrier construction for draperies wherein undesirable parting isprevented when the draperies are moved to a closed position.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a master carrierconstruction for draperies wherein tension in the operating cords isautomatically relieved when the draperies are moved to the closedposition.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a mastercarrier construction for draperies which includes a primary slide and asecondary slide, the secondary slide being adapted to move relatively tothe primary slide to relieve tension in the operating cord.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a draperyxture wherein a lost motion device associated with the master carriersis adapted to prevent drapery parting in the closed position.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide a draperyxture wherein the drapery operating cord is secured to a secondaryslide, the secondary slide being adapted to move relatively to a primaryslide, thereby relieving tension in the operating cord when thedraperies are moved to a drawn position.

Other objects and the nature and advantages of the instant inventionwill be apparent from the following description taken in conjunctionwith the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. l is a rear view in perspective of one form of the drapery fixtureembodied herein, showing the master carriers in the closed position;

Fig. 2 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the drapery xtureillustrated in Fig. l as seen from the front;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the master carrier construction shoWn inFigs. l and 2;

Fig. 4 is a sectional view taken along the line 4 4 in Fig. 2;

rice

Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a modified form of thi master carrierconstruction; and

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a further modified torn of the mastercarrier construction.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly Figs l-4, one form ofthe present invention is illustrated an( includes a traverse rod 10formed in a generally C con figuration, one wall of the traverse roddefining a track way for slidably receiving a plurality of draperyslide` 12 and master carriers' generally indicated at 14 and 16 Securedto the extreme4 ends of the traverse rod 10 whicl may be of thetelescoping type are end brackets 18 an( 20, the end brackets 18 and 20being fastened to a x ture above the window or door to be draped in an]convenient manner. Rotatably mounted in the end brack ets 18, 20 arepulleys 22, 24 (Fig. 2) which are adapte: to receive an operating cord26 thereon, the free end; 28, 30 of the operating cord 26 depending fromoni set of pulleys as shown in Figs. l and 2. It is understoo( that ifit is desired, the operating cord 26 may be s( arranged that the freeends 28, 30 thereof depend fron the opposite end bracket as thatillustrated. The draperj slides 12 and the master carriers 14, 16 areadapted t( receive drapery hooks in the conventional manner, thi draperyhooks being attached to the upper end portion` of drapery sectionsindicated at 32 and 34 in the con ventional manner, The operating cord26 is secured t the master carriers 14 and 16 as will be described hereinbelow, and it is seen, therefore, that upon pulling o either end 2S or30 of the operating cord 26, the maste carriers 14 and 16 will be causedto move along thi traverse rod 10, thereby moving the slides 12 and thassociated draperies 32, 34 therewith.

Referring now to Fig. 3, the master carriers 14 an( 16 are more clearlyillustrated and as shown are forme( in substantially the same manner.Master carrier 1 includes a primary slide generally indicated at 36 thacomprises a longitudinally extending bar 37 that ha` an offset portion38 formed integral therewith, the olf set portion 38 providing foroverlapping with a simila b ar formed on the master carrier 16. Asdescribed here inabove, the bar 37 has convenient openings 40 (Fig 2)formed therein for receiving the drapery hooks at tached to the draperysections 32, 34. Formed integra with the bar 37 are vertical plates 42and 44, the plat 42 having a stop 46 formed thereon and the plate 4having a similar stop 48 formed thereon. Secured tt the plates 42 and44, respectively, are guides 5l) an( 52, the Uuides 50, 52 being formedin a T configuratiol and being received in the trackway defined by theopel side of the traverse rod 10, thereby mounting the primari slide 36for free movement on the traverse rod 10. A illustrated and described,the primary slide 36 is not se cured to the operating cord 26 in anymanner and i` free to move relative thereto within a limited space, a`will be described hereinafter. Slidably mounted on thi traverse rod 19is a secondary slide 54 which comprise a block secured to a guide 56,the guide 56 being mounte( for slidable movement in the traverse rodtrackway One length of the operating cord 26 extends through zprojection 57 (Fig. 2) formed on the guide 56 and i` secured therein,thereby securing the secondary slide 5f for movement with the operatingcord 26. As show! in Fig. 3, the secondary slide 54 is positioned inabutting relation against the stop 48 of the primary slide 36 an( thuswill move the primary slide in an inwardly direc tion in response tomovement of the operating cord. Simi larly, the secondary slide S4 isadapted to be moved int( abutting relation with the stop 46 of theprimary slidi '36 and continued movement of the secondary slide 54 i1 anoutwardly direction will force the primary slide 31 therewith.

The master carrier 16 includes a similar assembly of lements asdescribed above in connection with master arrier 14 and comprises aprimary slide generally indiated at 58 and a secondary slide 60. Theprimary slide 8 includes a longitudinally extending bar 62 having ookopenings 63 (Fig. 2) formed therein and spaced ertical plates 64, 66having stop 68, 70, respectively, Jrmed integral therewith. The primaryslide 58 is idably mounted on the traverse rod l by means of uides 72,74 secured to the plates 64, 66, respectively. he secondary slide 60 isslidably mounted on the traverse :ad 10 by a guide 76 secured thereto,the'operating cord 6 extending through a projection 78 (Fig. 2) formed nthe guide 76 and secured therein, the secondary slide 0 thereby beingresponsive to movement of the operatlg cord. As described above inconnection with master ,ide 14, the secondary slide 60 is freely movablewithin 1e space defined by the stops 68, 70 and is adapted to ontact thestops 68, 70 for moving the primary slide 8 in a desired direction.

In operation, when it is desired to draw the draperies 2, 34 to a closedposition, the operating end 28 of the pel-ating cord 26 is pulled. Thesecondary slides 54 nd 60 secured to the operating cord 26 are movedinto ontact with the stops 48 and 70, respectively, and the rimaryslides 36 and 58 are thus drawn to the closed osition carrying theassociated draperies 32 and 34 lerewith. When the primary slides 36 and58 reach 1e closed position, the weight of the draperies has caused 1ecord 26 to be stretched in tension and a sudden re- :ase of the cordwould normally cause the master carers to part. However, since only thesecondary slides 4 and 60 are secured to the operating cord, there is aist motion effect and the secondary slides are permitted )moverelatively to the primary slides 36 and 58 Within 1e space defined bythe stops 46, 48 and 68, 70. Thus, 1e primary slides remain stationaryupon relaxation of 1e operating cord 26 and their associated draperieswill e prevented from parting. If it is desired to part the raperies,the operating end 30 of the cord 26 is pulled nd the secondary slideswill then be moved into contact 'ith the stops 46 and 68, respectively.Continued movelent of the secondary slides 54 and 60 in an outwardlyrection will pull the primary slides 36 and 58 and the ssociateddraperies 32 and 34 to the open position.

Referring now to Fig. 5, a modified form of the inention is illustratedand includes master carriers genfally indicated at 80 and 82. The mastercarrier 80 Jmprises a primary slide 84 which includes a vertical late 86formed with an oset horizontal bar 88, the tfset horizontal bar 88 beingformed with appropriate penings for receiving draper hooks. Secured tothe late 86 of the primary slide 84 are guides 90, 92 which re slidablymounted in a trackway of a traverse rod not shown), thereby mounting theprimary slide 84 )r free movement on the traverse rod. Formed in theertical plate 86 is a horizontally extending slot 94 which :ceives a pin96 for slidable movement therein. The ln 96 is secured to a secondaryslide which in this modi- :ation comprises a guide 98, the guide 98being in turn :cured to one length of an operating cord 100. It is :enthat movement of the secondary slide or guide 98 ill, in turn, move theprimary slide 84. The master lrrier 82 is constructed similarly to themaster carrier l and includes a primary slide 102 comprising a plate )4to which a bar 106 is integrally joined, the bar 106 :ing formed withappropriate openings for receiving apery hooks therein. Secured to theplate 104 are lides 108 and 110 for slidably mounting the primary ide102 on the traverse rod (not shown) and a slot l2 is formed in the plate104, the slot 112 being adapted slidably receive a pin 114. The pin 114is secured to secondary slide or guide 116 which is in turn secured alength of the operating cord 100.

In operation, the draperies associated with the master carriers and 82are drawn to a closed position by pulling the appropriate end of theoperating cord. The secondary slides 98 and' 116 secured to theoperating cord are caused to move therewith, thereby moving the pins 96and 114 to the inner end of the slots 94 and 112, respectively.Continued pulling of the operating cord then moves the primary slides tothe drawn position. When the cord 100, which has been under tensionduring the drapery drawing operation, is released, the secondary slides98 and 116 tend to move outwardly with the cord and a lost motion effectresults as the secondary slides 98, 116 move relatively to the primaryslides 84, 102. Since the secondary slides 98, 116 and the associatedpins 96 and 114 move in the slots 94 and 112, the primary slides 84 and102 will remain stationary and the ends of the drawn draperies willtherefore be prevented from parting.

Referring to Fig. 6, a further modified form of the master carriers isillustrated and includes master carriers generally indicated at 118 and120. The master carrier 118 includes a plate-like secondary slide 122which has openings 124 formed adjacent the lower end thereof forreceiving drapery hooks therein. Secured to the secondary slide 122 areguides 126, 128 which are slidably mounted in a trackway of a traverserod (not shown), thereby mounting the secondary slide 122 for freemovement on the traverse rod. In this modification, an operating cord isadapted to be secured to the secondary slide 118 and, for this purpose,the secondary slide 118 is formed with slots 132, 134 in the bodythereof. A projection 136 is also struck out from the secondary slidebody and as shown the cord 130 extends into the slots 132, 134 andthrough the opening defined by the projection 136, the cord 130 therebybeing securely fixed to the secondary slide 122. Secured to thesecondary slide 122 adjacent the inner end thereof is a pin 138 which isadapted to be received in a slot 140 formed in a primary slide 142. Theprimary slide 142 is secured to a guide 144 which is slidably mounted inthe trackway of the traverse rod (not shown), thereby mounting thesecondary slide for movement on the traverse rod. The primary slide 142v is formed in an inverted L configuration,` the lower extension thereofbeing formed with an opening. 146 for receiving a drapery hook. It isseen that movement of the secondary slide 122 Will, in turn, move theprimary slide 142 by means of the pin and slot construction, therebymoving the associated drapery to the. desired position. In the modifiedmaster carrier detail illustrated in Fig. 6, the drapery hook located atthe innermost end of the associated drapery is adapted to be insertedinto the opening 146 formed in the primary slide 142 and since theprimary slide is not connected to the operating cord 130, it is seenthat the drapery end will remain stationary when the secondary slide 122moves relatively to the primary slide 142 and Within the limits definedby the slot 140.

The master carrier 120 is constructed similarly to the master carrier118 and includes a plate-like secondary slide 148 in which openings 150are formed for receiving drapery hooks. Secured to the secondary slide148 are guides 152, 154 which are slidably mounted in the trackway ofthe traverse rod (not shown) and formed in the secondary slide along theupper edges thereof are slots 156, 158 which receive the operating cord130 therein. A projection 160 is struck outwardly from the body of thesecondary slide 148 between the slots 156, 158 and defines an openingfor receiving the operating cord 130 therein, the secondary slide 148thereby being locked to the operating cord and responsive to themovement thereof. Operatively secured to the secondary slide 148 is aprimary slide 162 which is formed With a slot 164, the slot 164receiving a pin 166 secured to the secondary slide 148. The primaryslide 162 is formed With an offset extension 168 that is adapted tooverlap with the extension formed on the primary slide 142 the extension168 having an opening 170 formed therein for receiving the innermosthook of the associated drapery. Secured to the primary slide 162 is aguide 172 that slidably mounts the primary slide on the traverse rod.

In operation, the appropriate end of the operating cord 130 is pulled todraw the secondary slides 122, 148 toward the center of the traverserod, thereby drawing the associated draperies together. of the draperiesis reached and the operating cord is released, thereby relieving thetension therein, the secondary carriers 122, 148 tend to move outwardly.However, due to the pin and slot construction, a lost-motion is effectedbetween the primary and secondary slides, the primary slides 142, 162remaining stationary. Since the innermost end of the draperies isattached to the stationary primary slides, the drapery ends will then beprevented from parting.

It is seen that in all forms of the present invention, there is movementof the secondary slide relative to the primary slide when the operatingcord is relaxed after the draperies have been drawn to a closedposition. The master carrier construction described herein may beapplied with any existing traverse rod fixture and is generallyapplicable with all types of drapery fixtures. The master carrierstructure is simple, easy to manufacture, and economical in operation,requiring little or no maintenance.

It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes maybe made without departing from the spirit of the invention and thereforethe invention is not limited to what is shown in the drawings anddescribed in the specification, but only as indicated in the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:

l. In a drapery fixture, a traverse rod, an operating cord associatedwith said traverse rod, a master carrier mounted on said traverse rodand having a drapery associated therewith, said master carrier includinga primary slide and a secondary slide, said secondary slide secured tosaid cord and responsive to the movement thereof, said primary slidemounted freely on said traverse rod and responsive to the movement ofsaid secondary slide for movement along said traverse rod, saidsecondary slide being movable relative to said primary slide withinpredetermined limits, the relative movement compensating for stresses insaid operating cord when said drapery is drawn to a closed position,thereby preventing said drapery from retracting from the closedposition.

2. In a drapery fixture, a traverse rod, an operating cord associatedwith said traverse rod, a primary slide mounted for free movement onsaid traverse rod, a secondary slide slidably mounted on said traverserod and secured to said cord, and a` drapery associated with saidprimary and secondary slides and responsive to the movement thereof,said primary slide movable with said secondary slide in response tomovement of said cord to draw said drapery to a closed position, saidsecondary slide being movable relative to said primary slide withinpredetermined limits when said operating cord is released, therebycompensating for stresses in said operating cord, and preventing saiddrapery from parting in the drawn position.

3. In a drapery fixture, a traverse rod, an operating cord, and a mastercarrier comprising a primary slide and a secondary slide mounted on saidtraverse rod, said secondary slide secured to said cord and responsiveto movement thereof, said secondary slide being movable relative to saidprimary slide within predetermined limits.

4. In a drapery fixture, a traverse rod, an operating cord associatedwith said traverse rod, a master carrier mounted on said traverse rodoperatively connected to said operating cord and responsive to themovement thereof, said master carrier including a primary slide and asecondary slide, said secondary slide being rela- When the closedposition 6 tively movable with respect to said primary slide withilpredetermined limits.

5. In a drapery xture, a traverse rod, an operatin; cord associated withsaid traverse rod, a primary slidi and a secondary slide slidablymounted on said travers rod, said secondary slide being secured to saidoperating cord and movable therewith to move said primary slidilongitudinally along said traverse rod.

6. In a drapery fixture, a master carrier constructiol comprising aprimary slide and a secondary slide, sai( secondary slide being movablerelative to said primar; slide within predetermined limits.

I. In a drapery fixture as set forth in claim 6, whereil said limits aredefined by spaced stops formed on sai( primary slide.

8. ln a drapery fixture as set forth in claim 6, whereil said limits aredefined by a slot formed in the body of sai( primary slide.

9. In a drapery fixture as set forth in claim 8, whereil said secondaryslide has a pin formed thereon and slidabl within said slot.

l0. ln a drapery fixture, a traverse rod, a master car rier constructioncomprising a first slide mounted on sai( traverse rod and defining adriving member, and a secon( slide mounted on said traverse rod anddefining a drivel member, said first slide operatively secured to saidsecon( slide and adapted to move said second slide along th longitudinallength of said traverse rod, said first slid being movable relative tosaid second slide within prede termined limits.

ll. ln a drapery fixture, a traverse rod, an operating cord, a pair ofmaster carriers, and draperies attacher to said master carriers, each ofsaid master carriers in cluding a primary slide and a secondary slide,said sec ondary slides secured to said operating cord, each of saitprimary slides having a drapery attached thereto am movable therewith,said secondary slides being responsivi to the movement of said operatingcord to move sai( primary slides toward the center of said traverse rodeach of said secondary slides being movable relative t1 a primary slideupon relaxation of said operating con to prevent said draperies fromparting at the traverse roi center.

l2. In a drapery fixture, a master carrier constructioi comprising afirst slide means and a second slide means said first and second slidemeans being normally movabli together and being movable relativelywithin predeter mined limits.

13. In a drapery fixture, as set forth in claim 12, where in said firstslide means is formed with spaced stops, sail second slide means beingpositioned between said spacer stops and movable therebetween, themovement of sait second slide means between said stops defining the relative movement of said second slide means with respec to said first slidemeans.

14. In a drapery fixture as set forth in claim l2, where in said firstslide means is formed with a slot in the bodj thereof, said second slidemeans including a pin mov able within said slot, the movement of saidpin withii said slot defining the relative movement of said seconl slidemeans with respect to said first slide means.

l5. In a drapery fixture, a traverse rod, an operatin; cord disposed insaid traverse rod, a primary slide slid ably mounted on said traverserod and having a draper attached thereto, and a secondary slide slidablymountei on said traverse rod and secured to said operating cord movementof said secondary carrier in response to sait operating cord causingmovement of said primary slide thereby moving said drapery, saidsecondary slide bein; movable relatively with respect to said primaryslid within predetermined limits, said drapery remaining sta tionarywith said primary slide upon the relative move ment of said secondaryslide.

16. In a drapery fixture, a traverse rod, an operatinl with respect tosaid primary slide within predetermined limits, the end of said draperyattached to said primary a slide remaining stationary with said primaryslide upon the relative movement of said secondary slide.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,576,086 Werner et al Nov. 20, 1951

